1. Allison Sheats
Annotated Bibliography
Fracking in relation to the cost and benefits from communities and their families will be
discussed from the discipline of Animal Science and Health Sciences. On the Health science side
of things, the most posing question is what side effects or possible health problems could arise
with working closely by this? There has been controversy of the methane contaminant entering
the water supply due to fracking; how does that affect the surrounding communities water
supply; does that birth forth disorders or birth defects? From the Animal Science perspective,
the water contamination can immediately be a concern to herd health; additionally, if fracking is
harming the environment how does this affect farming and ranching families livelihood.
Therefore, if fracking is a hazard it could bring forth health problems with ranchers herds,
therefore skyrocketing the price for meat as well as possibly compromising the product served to
the customer; which then results in poor health for the consumer. Therefore comprehensively this
paper will outline the health risks in livestock as well as humans from contaminated water due to
fracking.
1) Reference:
Myers, T. (2012). Potential Contaminant Pathways from Hydraulically Fractured Shale to
Aquifers [electronic resource].Ground Water, 50(6), 872-882.
Disciplinary affiliation: Science
Theory: Hydraulic fracking potentially causes contamination to water.
Method: Qualitative
Key Concepts: Potential pathways for contamination

2. Phenomena: Natural vertical flows drive contaminants from the fractured shale to the
aquifers, thus there is an increase in gas in water wells near areas used for fracking.
Summary: Fracking injects up to 17 million liters of fluid consisting of water and
additive, and 9% to 34% returns to the ground surface, thus agencies have found more
thermogenic gas in water wells near fracking areas. Due to the increasing development
of unconventional sources, the risk to aquifers could potentially be increasing. The intent
of the study is to characterize the risk factors associated with vertical contaminant
transport from the shale to near-surface aquifers through natural gas pathways in the
Marcellus shale region of southern New York. Five conceptual models of flow and
transport and post-fracking transport were analysized; one being the natural upward
advective flow, two the same as the previous one but with a vertical fracture connecting
the shale to surface, the third scenario test the effect of extensive fracturing in the
Marcellus shale by increasing the shale. The fourth similar to number three measured the
effect of the change in shale properties but with a fault of number two’s, and lastly this
scenarios simulated injections of fluid in a fractured shale from a horizontal well with and
without finding fault. Through this simulation it was found that subsurfaces should be
mapped prior to fracking, setback distances from the fracking to fault should be
established, the properties should be verified post fracking, and lastly a system of deep
and shallow monitoring wells and piezometers should be monitoring wells.
2) Reference:
Burton, G., Basu, N., Ellis, B. R., Kapo, K. E., Entrekin, S., & Nadelhoffer, K. (2014).
Hydraulic 'Fracking': Are surface water impacts an ecological concern?. Environmental
Toxicology & Chemistry, 33(8), 1679-1689. doi:10.1002/etc.2619

3. Disciplinary affiliation: Science
Theory: Hydraulic fracking has environmental risks due to surface water impacts.
Method: Qualitative
Key Concepts: Ecological risks and water-quality stressors.
Phenomena: The closer the geographical proximity of the susceptible ecosystem to a drilling
site or location of related industrial processes, the higher the risk of that ecosystem being
impacted by the operations.
Summary: Due to the increase in natural gas in the market place, abundant natural gas reserves
and fracking operations targeting shale gas formation; however, this new drive comes with
health, environmental, and geopolitical concerns. Hydraulic fracturing fluids contain a range of
additives, including proppants, gelling agents, solvents, antiscalants, surfactants, corrosion
inhibitors, and biocides; some are known to be toxic. This is concerning as ecological impacts
include release of harmful pollutants due to construction of new roads; and these activities may
have profound effects on a region’s ecosystem and organisms. The US Environmental Protection
Agency found that the majority of aquatic life impairments are the result of nonpoint-source
runoff in human dominated watersheds. Water quality versus quantity is outlined by showing
how the lower dilution rates and contaminants can damage ecosystem and harm aquatic life; and
the concern of extraction of surface water leading to period of water shortages thus impacting
agriculture. The closer to fracking the more of ecological concern; it was found this could bring
forth increased erosion and sedimentation, increased risk to aquatic ecosystems, habitat
fragmentation, altered biogeochemical cycling, and hyporheic water volumes because of
withdrawal-inducing lowering of local groundwater levels.

4. 3) Reference:
Gordalla, B. C., Frimmel, F. H., & Ewers, U. (2013). Hydraulic fracturing: a toxicological threat
for groundwater and drinking-water? [electronic resource]. Environmental Earth Sciences, 70(8),
3875-3893.
Disciplinary affiliation: Science
Theory: Hydraulic fracking potentially causes contamination to water.
Method: Qualitative and quantitative
Key Concepts: Environmental impact of contaminated ground water and risk associated with the
toxic substances.
Phenomena: The impact of hydraulic fracturing when dealing with unconventional shale gas and
tight gas reservoirs, and how it affects drinking water in Germany.
Summary: This interdisciplinary study examines the most important sources of drinking water
in Germany and many other European countries, as it pertains to hydraulic fracturing. A majority
of the research Exxon Mobil drilling sites in northern Germany and overviews fracking and how
it pertains to water fluxes, the purpose of these fracking fluids is discussed, and lastly the
chemical uses in the fracking fluids are discussed. It was found that varying amounts of fracking
fluid contaminate the water from underground or above-ground accidents associated with
transport, storage, or handling. Furthermore, the research concluded that different dilution of
fracking fluid emerge in ground water; and found that 1:1000 up to 1:10,000 dilutions of
fracking fluid are below health reference values in outlined in European Drinking Water

5. Directive. In terms of drinking water produced, it is thought to be more problematic; however
there is little reliable data available to prove this.
4) Reference:
Ewers, U., Gordalla, B., & Frimmel, F. (2013). [Hydraulic fracturing - a hazard for drinking
water?]. Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Ärzte Des Öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes
(Germany)), 75(11), 735-741. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1355369
Disciplinary affiliation: English
Theory: Hydraulic Fracturing is dangerous to drinking water.
Method: Qualitative
Key Concepts: Drinking water and natural gas water pollution.
Phenomena: Contrary to popular belief, due present safety requirements the risk of ground water
contaminated by fracking is very low.
Summary: Fracking is among great concern to the German public due to the potential
environmental impact that including contaminating water. The process of hydraulic fracturing is
described as a technique used to release and promote extraction of natural gas from deep natural
gas deposits. The risks of ground water are discussed along with the toxicity of chemical
additives of fracking fluids; and found that due to present safety requirements and obligatory
geological and hydrogeological scrutiny of the underground water, prior to fracking, the risk of
contamination is actually relatively low. Lastly, preventative recommendations are outlined such
as, assessing and approving fracs should be completed by the mining authorities and water
authorities in order to prevent possible contamination. Additionally, it was recommended that

6. hydraulic fracturing should be accompanied by ground water monitoring for preventative
measures.